Friday, July 15, 2011

Yummy New Discoveries

I decided to write about some things I am discovering in my hcg diet world. I am now on maintenance until Sept. so I get to eat lots more things than I did when on the protocol. The hcg protocol is a Very strict diet and only certain foods are allowed. I've lost 45 pounds so far in 2 rounds of the diet and have kept it off so far. It changed my life and my outlook in so many ways. I am set free from sugar, and white flour. I eat more organic foods and read labels like I am ocd about it. I love the diet and I love being on maintenance.

Today I ate french toast for breakfast. I used Ezekiel Raisin Bread which is available in the freezer section of many stores, or health food stores. It's made with sprouted grains so doesn't count as a starch. Don't understand how that works, but who cares....it's yummy.http://www.foodforlife.com/

I used butter and Simply Fruit no sugar added jam on it. Yummo!!!! Imagine getting to eat french toast legally on a low carb diet.

More low carb discoveries....have you all tried almond flour? You can make stuff with it...like PANCAKES!!!! Flourless carbless pancakes. I think I am in heaven. I bought a pound at the local health food store but it was $10 for 1 pound. So I found another sourcehttp://store.honeyvillegrain.com/blanchedalmondflour5lb.aspx

I bought the 5 pounds because I intend to try making cupcakes with Truvia and almond flour. You can also cook with coconut flour which I haven't tried. I found a pancake recipe on google and made it with Truvia for the sweetener. Used Simply Fruit on the pancakes.

I am not a fan of Splenda, or Nutrasweet (aspertame). They are excito-toxins and the operative word here is toxin. I know, I know....Splenda has gained popularity and nutrasweet has declined. Did you know that they use clorine bleach to make splenda? Did you know that it was discovered when the scientists were looking for an ant poison? Stevia is the most natural sweetener, but it tastes bad. I love Truvia which is 97% stevia and 3% erythritol which is an alcohol sugar. That little bit or erythritol which adds no calories, makes it taste totally good and sweet...with NO aftertaste. Sugar free pancake syrup has either nutrasweet or Splenda. I think you could make your own maple syrup with agave maybe and maple flavoring, but I like jam.

The final thought is that it is possible to have things you love without the white flour or even wheat flour and sugar added. With all the gluten free hubub going on now, there are more and more recipes that use almond or coconut flour. You can live a low carb lifestyle, and still enjoy eating well. I am loving my new life.

"Love will draw an elephant through a key-hole."

I am 56 years young, and can't believe how fast my life has flown by. I found the Lord, or perhaps I should say He found me, 29 years ago, and my life has been blessed. There have been hard time, and great times, times of growth, times of sadness and of joy. I've never been sorry for choosing Jesus. I have been blessed to travel my entire life, starting with Europe with my parents at 8 years old. Since then I have visited many countries, and loved them all. So many wonderful places to see and people to meet! The most important thing I have learned in traveling is to know that I will learn more from other cultures than they will learn from me. I want to see everything and everyplace before I get too old. God is good and my life has been blessed!